"Vacation" begins

Well, our “vacation” is off to a fantastic start.  I was able to defy the laws of physics and managed to pack everything on my list (and quite a few things that weren’t on my list).  I submit this photographic evidence:

Feeling quite smug that I not only had I successfully packed every item we own, but that we left on time, fate decided to smite me.  You see, my family has a history of terrible vacations.  And whenever one of us goes to the beach it inevitably rains.  This curse comes down from my dad’s side of the family.  We’ve been evacuated due to hurricanes countless times.  One time my mom and her husband were down here and my sister and I drove down just for the day.  A storm literally followed us the entire way down.  It poured right up until the time we left and then the skies cleared.  We call it The Curse.

So it really should be no surprise that the entire state was under a flood watch and the entire east coast is had horrible storms, which I personally feel responsible for.  It normally takes us three hours to get down here.  It took four and half.  Granted, part of that was because of stopping to eat and nurse the babies and diaper changes (they did really well on the drive down, we only stopped three times).  But the rest of the extra time was because of the storm.  Before we left home my dad called, claiming to be Noah, and asked if we were even going to still come down. 

We finally made it safe and sound.  The house is gorgeous.  Last time I was here I was still pregnant and there were only studs and plumbing.  Three bedrooms, two full baths, full washer and dryer, big open kitchen/living room/dining room, screened in porch.  The paint is bright and cheery.  My dad makes fun of it, but I think my step-mother did an excellent job.  I could live here.

When we got here, Nick immediately threw up on the brand spankin’ new couch.  My dad and step-mother were getting ready to head home so they went over the various things about the house and my dad put out the trashcan before he left since trash collection was this morning.  He also warned us that the president of the home owner’s association lives directly across the street and he likes to talk, a lot, so to not leave the house if he’s outside unless you want a very, very long conversation.  We put the boys down to bed, which in all honesty wasn’t as bad as we were expecting.  I headed out to the grocery store and left Dave to deal with the boys and trying to get the wireless network set up.  Long story short, Dave can’t get the network going and trying to find an open pizza place that delivers at 9 o’clock on a Sunday night in a beach town during the off season when you have limited internet access and no phone book was challenging.

This morning turn on the news to hear that this is the worst storm since 1993.  Big surprise.  The wind is blowing so hard I’m pretty sure the windows are going to give at any moment.  Then at 7:30 in the morning, the doorbell rings.  Mr. President of the Homeowner’s Association is ringing the doorbell to tell us that the trash my dad put out last night is blowing all over the street.  He admonished Dave for putting out trash in the wind and told him to put it out for Thursday.  Dave goes out to collect the trash, including fishing for the pizza boxes in the three inch lake that is now in the front of the house from all the rain.  Takes the trashcan back and we figure we’ll try again Thursday.  Then we hear a garbage truck.  Touché.

But it got better.  Both boys are now napping.  Dave has the internet working, just not the wireless network.  I think the wind might have blown Mr. President of the HOA into the bay (well I can dream).  I doubt we’ll be getting out much because I’m pretty sure the wind will blow the babies away.  The only thing we have to get done is going over to my grandparent’s place down here (a few streets over) and obtaining a rug that is being delivered and bring it back here. 

Comments

[Flicka]

I love your blog, Jenn. Those diagramed pictures are priceless!

So you're the one responsible for the storm, eh? Hmmmn. No more vacations for you! (But I hope you have an awesome time on this one.)

[Kir]

I must bow down, MY HERO!!! (I promised YOU get the distinction and I keep my promises)

my family has much the same luck with weather, which is part of the reason I love Aruba so much, the chance of rain/bad weather is much lower there (giggles) .

have fun, I'll be looking forward to updates and some info on the Pres of the HOA in the bay :)

[jenn]

You go girl. Way to pack. Did you still have room for the boys??? LOL.

The wind in MI was so bad, that while I fiddled with the hatch back on the van, my Double snap in go started rolling away. The bonnets on the infant seats were acting as a sail. Wow, the twins are already experienced parasailers.

Enjoy your "vacation." The Other Jenn